San Francisco Weather in February

Tips on Packing, What to Wear, & More

Most people think that California is warm and sunny all year round. That isn't always true here as the San Francisco weather in February is often cool and rainy.

If you are planning to visit SF during this month, you will need to prepare for light rain and cool days. Thankfully, in between these cool rainy days, we also get some beautiful sunny and clear days too. So you really need to plan, and pack, ahead.

On this page, you will learn more about how to prepare for the weather during this month. You will also find some tips on what to wear, how to pack, and a few of my favorite things to do during this month.

The great news about visiting during this month is that it isn't as busy around our city. You will find some great deals on hotels, attractions, and tours. Since most of them are less crowded than during the summer, you will get a more personalized experience too.

San Francisco weather in February is usually quite a bit warmer than the rest of the US, Canada, Europe and other northern destinations during this month. So, even though we get some rain, it might be a nice change of temperature from those cold winter days in other parts of the northern hemisphere in February.

This is typically what you can expect during your stay:

Average High in February: 61° F/16° C

Average Low in February: 48° F/9° C

Average Monthly Rainfall: 4.6 inches

Record High: 81° F/ 27° C (2/26/1986)

Record Low: 31° F/-1° C (2/6/1989)

What to Pack for the San Francisco Weather in February

With the cool San Francisco weather in February, you will want to pack clothing that you can layer. With the highs around 60° F/16° C, you will need a light jacket, light sweater or shirt, and thin pants during the day.

At night, you will want to wear something a little warmer. Most places in SF are casual, so you can bring along jeans, a heavier jacket for the evenings, and a warmer sweater or shirt.

Don't forget your rain gear too!

If you are heading out on a cruise on the bay, you have two options. You can either bring along a few heavier items for the journey or enjoy the ride in the warm indoor area. These indoor areas have large windows, so you can listen to the narration and see everything through the windows while staying a bit warmer. You can also poke your head outside for a few photos and then come back inside to warm up a bit.

2. Go to one of our museums: SF has more than 50 museums. Many focus on a specific topic such as modern art, Asian art, or SF history. When the San Francisco weather in February is cool and rainy, these are a great retreat indoors to help you stay warm. Find a full list of all of our museums here.

3. Visit Alcatraz: Alcatraz is an interesting place to visit when it's cool and rainy. After your ferry ride over, you will step inside this gem and learn all about the inmates and everything that's happened here over time. It's not heated inside, so make sure to wear warm clothing. Learn more about visiting Alcatraz.

4. Enjoy some free activities: A great way to save on your visit is to enjoy some of our free activities. My list includes free attractions, events, and other things to do. Visit this page for details.

5. Watch a basketball or hockey game: Our winter sports teams have been making a name for themselves the last few years. Since the arenas are both indoors, it is warm and taking in a game is a popular option this time of the year. The Golden State Warriors basketball team plays just over the SF Bay in Oakland. Our local hockey team, the San Jose Sharks, are about an hour south in San Jose.

Cable Car Hop On/Hop Off Tour: Ride around SF on a cable car on wheels, hop on and off at up to 15 stops around town, Full price $30-$45, Goldstar $20-$30*

Sunset Cruise: 2-hour sunset cruise around the SF Bay, step aboard the Privateer, each ticket includes two drinks, offers spectacular views of the city of San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and more, Full price $60, Goldstar $45*

*Small service fee at checkout.

Hotel Deals in February

Since the San Francisco weather in February is cool and rainy, you will find fewer people on vacation here during this time. That means that you can also get some great hotel deals. I recommend checking these two sites for some of the best deals during the month of February.

Getting Around SF in February

SF is a very walkable city. However, the San Francisco weather in February can be quite cool, so you might want to consider using our public transit to get around. Here are a few options to help you plan.